Bistro Provence

345 N. Pass Avenue,

Burbank, CA 91505

(818) 840-9050

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I have been reading about this little French Restaurant for some time in Los Angeles Magazine, and decided I finally had to give it a try. It is strangely located in a strip mall in between a Starbucks and a Dry Cleaners with an Albertsons and a Bank of America, and is only about a block from my girlfriend's house, so where better to go for her birthday celebration? Well, maybe The Hungry Cat just spoiled us, but honestly this place seemed only mediocre. Not bad, but not amazing in any way shape or form.

Topz
10119 Riverside Dr.
Toluca Lake, CA 91602
(818) 766-9066

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I had been looking forward to this place, which bills itself as having the LEANEST BURGERS IN AMERICA for a while, since one of the producers I have been working with mentioned it to me. And I have to say I was very disappointed. I was not too impressed at all, though I did like the syrups and formulas you can add to your soda, though they can't be good for you, and don't make up for the unimpressive and borring hamburgers and fries this place serves.

10760 Riverside Drive

Toluca Lake, CA 91602

(818) 487-3777

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Where my girlfriend wanted to eat was closed, so we kept driving down Riverside and saw this place right next to Baja Fresh, and decided to give it a try. I must say whomever wrote the menu did a fantastic job, because when you read it you will want to try everything. Everything sounds amazing, but the thing it is it is all lies. Especially ones like "WE ARE HOME OF THE GREASELESS PIZZA!" because this is damn greasy pizza, and the crust is just nasty. The food was terrible, and it took quite a long time as well. I was so unimpressed that I will never eat here again and tell anyone not to try this either.

1915 N. Bronson Ave

Los Angeles, CA 90068-5601

(3230 464-0275

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This place is at the corner of Franklin and Tamarind Ave, and has a liquor store that makes great (if expensive) sandwiches, and is also a restaurant next door with again delicious sandwiches, though the prices are way too high. You have to experience the food though, it is pretty damn good, and the sandwiches are huge (though they should be from $10 to $15).

Of late I have become a big fan of Sauvingon Blanc's, for the fruity flavors, and lack of wood flavor. I had read about this wine in FODD AND WINE magazine, so I wanted to give it a try. This is a dry wine, but still with some enjoyable fruity flavors.

The second bottle we picked up at our new wine store was an Austrian wine, since Kelly's sister Chelsea is a lover of Austrian wine from her trip to Europe. We were told this was similar to savignon blanc, which is a personal favorite, though I found it nothing of the sort. It seemed to have much more cabernet characteristics. I enjoyed it, but was hoping for more fruit flavor. Interestingly this comes in a 1 liter bottle.

A new wine store opened near my house, and as soon as we saw it open my girlfriend and I decided to check it out, and we were quite happy with it, and will be returning soon, so we got a few bottles. This was the first we tried. I have had the Sofia 2004 while in Napa at the Coppola winery and it was my favorite of his wines, so I thought we should try the 2005, and I was not at all disappointed. This is an excellent sparkling wine, and well worth tasting.

Daphne's Greek Cafe

7100 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 130

West Hollywood, CA 90046

(323) 969-8225

Sun-Thur 11am-9pm fri-Sat 11am-10pm

Certainly can't be considered real greek food with the instant rice, and substandard pita bread, but still not that bad in a rush, if only because of the yogurt sauce. This is an OK fast food place, that is probably at least a little healthier than your local burger joint. And this one is at the new best buy/target mall, so if you are looking for a quick bite it won't kill you.